Indicator for mail-boxes.



L. C. BLACKBURN. INDICATOR FOR MAIL BOXES. APPucATloN man ocT. 16, 1915.

` Patented sept. 4,1917.

Witnesses Attorn ys UNITED srarns PATENT onirica.A

LLOYD c. BLACKBURN, or AKRON,Y OHIO.

iNDICAToR lFort MAIL-BOXES.

Application filed October 16, 1915. Serial No. 576,232.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, LLOYD C. BLACKBURN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indicators for Mail- Boxes, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to novel improvements in indicators for use in connection with mail boxes or the like.

This invention aims to provide in the rst instance a reciprocatory visual signal member, which is manually operable and which in turn controls a selecting switch to permit an electrical circuit to be placed in condition to be operated or to remain inoperative.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a mail box and name plate, which is provided with a reciprocatory signal member, carrying indications to advise a caller whether the home party is In or Outf and constituting a means for operating a selecting switch, whereby said selecting` member is operative only when the In signal is visual.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 isa perspective view of a mail box and name, plate made according to and embodying` my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same, showing the audible alarm circuit in diagram.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. a is a central transverse sectional view through the complete device.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates the base plate provided with the bead or rim 6, and carrying intermediate of its ends from the front thereof, the mail receptacle or box 7, which is provided with a closure S hingedly connected with the bead or rim 6, and carries the name plate 9. In the front wall to one side is provided the slot 10, through which is observable the time marks carried by the rotatable disk or dial 11, which is manually manipulated through the instrumentality of the knob 12. By this means the hour of return of the owner may be readily designated, such words as lVill return at or the like be placed adjacent to the slot 10.

The glass 13 is fitted in the beads or rims 6, to inclose the respective spaces at each side of the boX 7, and mounted for reciprocation within the base is the plate 14, which is provided with the In signv 15 and the Out sign 16, eitherI one of which is visible at a time. In order to operate the plate 14, a rectangular opening 17 is provided cen- 1 i Specification of Letters Patent. y Patented/Sept, 1, 1917,

trally thereof for the reception of the operating arm or lug 1S, which in turn is fast upon the short shaft 19, which is mounted in the door 29 and carries the knob 20 operable from within the house. The spring clip 21 assists in holding the plate or visual K signal carrying member in place.

In order to provide a means whereby a doorbell circuit may be selected for operation when the member 14C indicates that the party is In there is carried by and insulated from the member 11, a metal plate` 22, which is in the path to engage the insulated contacts 23 and 24 carried by the base 5. A battery 25, which may be in any v remote place, with the push button 26, bell 27 andthe circuit wires 28 form with the contacts 23 and 24 and the plate 22, the audible alarm circuit.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with'the drawings,l it is evident that a mail box made according to and embodying this invention will provide a device which is easily installed, or 'positioned for use, and that by the manipulation of the visual signal member 14, the audible circuit is selected for operation.

Although the present construction is shown, it is apparent that various changes may be madetherein, and still remain wit-hin the spirit of the invention, and that also the mail box as illustrated may have substituted therefor a drop by means ofwhich mail may be directed through the door. f

that I claim as newA is In combination with a receptacle having a closure, of an attaching member of greater length than the receptacle and having side y openings, a bead or rim constituting a guideway on the attaching member, the closure being hingedly connected withsaid rim or bead, a transparent plate mounted beneath the rim in the rear of the said openings, an

opaque plate reciprocating in the guideway attaching member constituting an electric thc contacts for closing an alarm circuit contact support, a shank rotatably mounted when indicia is displayed through one of in the attaching member, an arm on the inner the openings and to move out of the circuit 10 end of the shank and arranged to enga-ge the closing position when the indicia is vVisible 5 edges of the opening in the opaque plate, an through the other opening.

actuating knob for rotating the shank to con- In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature. sequently move thek opaque plate to engage LLOYD C. BLACKBURN.

Copies ot this patent may be obtned'tor ve cents each, by addressingl the Gommissioner of Iatentv Washington, D. C. 

